Re: good example of macros?

["Andrew Gwozdziewycz" <apgwoz@gmail.com>]

On Feb 4, 2008 10:30 PM, Kyle R. Burton <kyle.burton@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > One set of macros that has always interested me was the automata
> > > example in this paper:
> > > http://www.cs.brown.edu/~sk/Publications/Papers/Published/sk-automata-macros/paper.pdf
> > > by Shriram Krishnamurthi.
> > >
> > > It really shows the power of what can be done. cut, while a great
> > > macro and a way to save some keystrokes really doesn't do macros
> > > justice.
>
> What that paper shows is a great example of macros - though, I wonder
> how well it'd fit (time wise) into the introduction to lisp
> presentation - perhaps into a presentation on more intermediate or
> advanced topics (like macros)?

I agree. It may however get people thinking about just what is
possible with macros. `cut` isn't nearly as compelling an example.
Explanation of it is left as an excercise to the reader... :)

> Also, do you have any references for
> define-syntax, syntax-rules, and let-syntax?  The best one I'd found
> so far is JRM's syntax-rules primer:

R5RS defines define-syntax, syntax-rules and let-syntax (as well as
letrec-syntax), so you're canonical reference is there. The primer you
linked too is a better practical guide.

> Are there any others that you can recommend?

Not that I can think of. Ed Watkeys might know of more resources, or
better examples.

> I can be prepared to talk through that paper -- if that is what the group wants...

I'm not suggesting anyone wants that. I high level introduction to
Lisp is probably the best choice. I sent you the link to the paper,
because the purpose of the paper was merely to show a practical
application of macros.

-- 
Andrew Gwozdziewycz
apgwoz@gmail.com
http://www.apgwoz.com  | http://www.photub.com